I was waiting for the weather to clear at Santa Barbara
for a departure with two friends in a Cessna-182.  The
rental was due back in a few hours and as a 200 hour
pilot with half of my IFR training complete, I asked
for a Special VFR using the Habut Four departure to the
west.  The weather was now "scattered 700 with 5 miles
visibility."  Another Cessna was departing on the parallel
runway on the same departure procedure just as we were 
lifting off.
  At 700 we were intermittently IFR, and broke out at
1100.  The other Cessna was only 500 feet in front of 
us to our right.
  Upon reaching Watsonville, the weather was "broken
at 1000 with ten miles visibility".  I tried a VFR descent
under the overcast layer near the ocean, but the clouds
were lower there, so I did a 180 back to clear air
and climbed back on top.  I gave up and headed for my
alternate, but on the way there, I saw the airport through
a hole in the clouds.  I did a diving spiral, then entered
base and final for a quick landing.  On final my friend
in the front seat said "Oh God" while looking in the
back.  I landed to find out I had made my other friend
throw up due to my crazy flying.
  Special VFR means you must maintain visual reference
and consider the path of other aircraft.  In marginal
VFR conditions, steep manuevers and monkey business in
the clouds is not a good idea.  Also, ask your passengers
to eat a light, non-greasy meal before flying.